Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Thursday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Dry, Inversion
Banks of cloud or fog on lower or middle slopes, but higher terrain likely clear and sunny above an inversion.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 25th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 24th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Dry with sunshine best in west and northern Scotland, high terrain warmer than many lower slopes, local low-level fog. High summits SE Highlands likely just above patchy cloud. Mostly cloudy Pennines, grazing tops, clearer westward across the Lakes. Gusty easterly winds, strongest further south, gale-force in Wales.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunshine, some patchy cloud south/east; gusty wind in places.
How windy? (On the Munros)
East-southeasterly 15-20mph, strongest toward south, but some gustiness widely.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small though turbulent gusts likely at all elevations.
How Wet?
Dry all day
Cloud on the hills?
Patches on middle slopes south and east; clear north/west.
Patchy banks of cloud between 600-1000m on southern Cairngorms slopes and Deeside. High tops will be above the cloud layer. Clearer north/westward, little cloud around Strathspey and Glenmore, possibly patchy fog in glens.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
80% south/east (tops above cloud layer); above 90% north/west.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny on the summits in very clear air. Least sun lower east slopes though visibility remains good out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or 0C, but rise in temperature with added height, up to 3C local 5C on high summits; warmest north and west. Feeling nearer -5C if exposed to gusts.
Freezing Level
Near or just below freezing point between 700-1000m, also frost in some glens. Summits above freezing as well as many sunlit slopes toward Strathspey.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 26th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 24th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to northeasterly or variable, 10 to 15mph or less, but tending to increase a little during daytime, local 20mph south.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Precipitation not expected
Cloud on the hills?
Many tops clear, risk some cloud east
Patchy fog mainly glens or lower slopes. Some cloud banks may exist on some slopes in range 600 to 1000m, mainly east and northeastern areas, highest tops likely above this cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine best in west, and perhaps widely over higher tops, locally cloudier east. Visibility excellent, some mist lower down.
How Cold? (at 900m)
0 to 2C, small variation with height, some corries and glens stay colder, whilst highest tops may be slightly warmer.
Freezing Level
Frost in most glens, terrain at least partly frozen higher up, but air temperature likely above freezing on high tops.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 27th December 2025
Last updated
Wed 24th Dec 25 at
4:20PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
East to northeasterly 20 to 25mph, stronger gusts around some slopes risk over 30mph, not just highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery in places, more noticeable locally and giving a distinct chill.
How Wet?
Rare light precipitation
Largely dry; a few brief spots of light rain, or snow grains on some slopes, mainly in the morning.
Cloud on the hills?
Covering some slopes, tops likely clear
Banks of cloud mostly between 700 and 1000m, most persistent northern Cairngorms, may tend to break up; higher tops generally above cloud.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
60%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Mix of cloud and sun, but high tops may be generally sunny. Visibility excellent out of cloud.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 to 2C, coolest north; slightly warmer on highest tops above an inversion. Feeling like -7 to -10C in stronger wind.
Freezing Level
Varied partly frozen terrain, including frost into the glens, but above freezing some mid-slopes and on highest tops.
Planning Outlook
Dry weather continues into the weekend as a strong area of high pressure resides near or north of Scotland. Inversion conditions Scottish mountains, high tops generally above freezing and above most patchy cloud, some frost and fog in glens. Gusty east-northeasterly wind increasing for Scotland by Saturday, easing again for Sunday. Strong and gusty winds prevail for England and Wales, often cloudy, a little light rain occasionally Pennines; some sun toward west. Next week stays dry for many, local showers northern Scotland, possibly turning chillier with northerly winds. *** Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year from all the team at MWIS ***